What Can You Hunt in Morocco?

Complete List of Game Animals Morocco is one of North Africa’s most diverse hunting destinations, offering a rugged mix of mountains, forests, plains, and semi-arid zones. For hunters seeking authentic experiences and challenging game, Morocco delivers. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the animals hunted in Morocco, their habitats, population status, and seasonal availability—written for serious hunters, not tourists. --- 🐗 Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) • Status: Widespread and abundant • Habitat: Forests, agricultural zones, cork oak groves • Hunting Season: October to February • Notes: The only large game species legally hunted in Morocco. Wild boar populations are stable and even considered overabundant in some regions, particularly in the Rif and Middle Atlas. Driven hunts are common, often organized with dogs and beaters. --- 🐏 Barbary Sheep (Aoudad – Ammotragus lervia) • Status: Limited and regulated • Habitat: Tafoughalt Mountains, Béni-Snassen range, rocky slopes • Hunting Season: Select areas, typically October to March • Notes: A prized trophy species with impressive horns. Populations are fragmented and managed under conservation programs. Hunts are physically demanding and require stalking in mountainous terrain. Trophy rams can weigh up to 130 kg, with horn lengths reaching 30–35 inches. --- 🐇 European Hare (Lepus europaeus) • Status: Declining in some regions • Habitat: Agricultural plains, scrublands, light forests • Hunting Season: October to February • Notes: Hares are hunted with pointing dogs or during driven hunts. Populations are thinning in intensively farmed areas but remain viable in the Middle Atlas and River Camp zones B. --- 🐦 Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) • Status: Stable and widespread • Habitat: Hills, vineyards, olive groves, semi-arid zones • Hunting Season: October to December • Notes: Morocco’s signature upland bird. Fast flyers, often hunted with dogs. The Gambra subspecies is especially sought after. Populations are strong in Tadla, Benslimane, and Azilal. --- 🐦 Quail (Coturnix coturnix) • Status: Migratory, seasonal influx • Habitat: Grain fields, grasslands • Hunting Season: July to September • Notes: Quail arrive in Morocco during migration and are hunted with dogs. Numbers vary annually depending on rainfall and crop cycles. --- 🐦 Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) • Status: Migratory, limited window • Habitat: Dense forests, riverbanks • Hunting Season: October to March • Notes: Elusive and nocturnal. Woodcock hunting is considered a privilege, especially in River Camp areas. Requires skilled dogs and patience. --- 🐦 Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) • Status: Declining across North Africa • Habitat: Farmlands, orchards, open woodlands • Hunting Season: July to September • Notes: Popular among wing shooters. Due to population pressures, Morocco reduced the daily bag limit from 50 to 40 birds starting in 2024. --- 🐦 Pigeon (Columba palumbus & Columba livia) • Status: Abundant • Habitat: Urban edges, cliffs, forests • Hunting Season: October to February • Notes: Common wood pigeons and feral pigeons are hunted in large numbers. Often used for dog training and casual shooting. --- 🐦 Duck (Anas platyrhynchos and others) • Status: Migratory, seasonal • Habitat: Wetlands, lakes, rivers • Hunting Season: October to February • Notes: Mallards dominate the duck hunting scene. Numbers fluctuate with water levels. Hunting is done from blinds or during morning/evening flights. --- 🐦 Double-Spurred Francolin (Pternistis bicalcaratus ayesha) • Status: Critically endangered (Moroccan subspecies) • Habitat: Maamoura Forest, Central Plateau, Souss-Massa National Park • Hunting Season: Not open to general hunting • Notes: Reintroduction efforts are underway. This bird is not legally hunted but is worth mentioning due to its historical significance and conservation status. --- 🐒 Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus) • Status: Protected, not huntable • Habitat: Middle Atlas cedar forests • Notes: Though not a game species, illegal hunting and habitat loss have reduced populations by 65% over the last 30 years. Estimated 5,000 remain in the wild. --- 📍 Top Hunting Regions in Morocco • Middle Atlas: Wild boar, hare, Barbary partridge • Tafoughalt Mountains: Barbary sheep • River Camp (Benslimane, Meknes, Azrou): Woodcock, duck, hare, partridge • Souss-Massa National Park: Francolin reintroduction, bird hunting • Tadla Plains: Dove, quail, pigeon --- 🗓️ General Hunting Season Overview (2025) • Big Game (Wild Boar, Barbary Sheep): October – February • Upland Birds (Partridge, Hare, Woodcock): October – March • Migratory Birds (Quail, Dove, Duck): July – September • Hunting Days: Friday to Monday only --- 🧾 Permits & Regulations • All hunting rights belong to the Moroccan state. • Hunters must obtain a hunting license, weapon permit, and insurance certificate. • Hunting is prohibited in permanent and temporary reserves. • Trapping is illegal; only shooting and falconry are permitted. --- 🧭 Conclusion Morocco’s hunting scene is rich, varied, and challenging. From driven wild boar hunts in dense forests to stalking Barbary sheep in the mountains, the country offers something for every hunter. Populations of key species like wild boar and partridge remain strong, while others like francolin and macaque require protection. With proper planning, permits, and respect for local conditions, Morocco delivers a rewarding hunting experience in one of Africa’s most scenic landscapes.